You do not need a professional workshop to maintain your car more diligently. A reasonable selection of workshop tools allows to make even everyday works, cleaning and minor road trouble considerably easier. The best equipped workshop is not necessarily the one richest in tools. The most useful is that, in which a fundamental thing- and the most accessible at the opportune moment.
A tyre inflator and accurate pressure gauge
The way the car drives and feels on the road is also influenced by tyre pressures and these should be checked regularly, and especially before undertaking any long journeys. An inflator kit can take the stress out of this, as you don’t have to worry if a service station will have an air line and if it is accurate. A separate gauge is also good for spot checks if tyres are cold. Always use the recommended pressures from the vehicle manufacturer, not the maximum recommended pressures listed on the tyre wall.
Basic cleaning gear
The majority of your everyday exterior car cleaning will be achieved with a bucket, decent wash mitt, shampoo, drying cloths and a few microfibre cloths. The use of individual cloths for each area: paint, glass, wheels and the inside, will also minimize the chances of introducingdirt or scratch inducing particles onto sensitive parts of the car.
If detailing is something that you are really into, brushes or a mini Hoover would make the job a lot more convenient but get the core items first. Usually proper technique with the right tools rather than a full cupboard of special items will make a difference.
A compact vacuum or blower
Sand, crumbs and dust build up quickly inside a car, particularly in family vehicles. A cordless handheld vacuum makes quick clean-ups much more likely to happen because there is no need to drag a full-size vacuum into the driveway.
Some compact units also work as blowers, which can be handy for clearing dust from vents and tight areas. Retailers such as Aussie Cave Co stock automotive lifestyle gear alongside garage products, which reflects how these small multi-purpose tools have become part of ordinary home car care rather than specialist workshop equipment.
A battery jump starter
Today’s portables are more compact than jumper leads and will get a flat battery going without the need for another vehicle to provide a jump. It’s handy for starting a car parked nose-in or even when the vehicle is located somewhere where another car cannot get close to it.
Check it from time to time and keep it charged. A jump starter that has sat on a shelf and hasn’t been touched for ages is more than likely of no use when a situation arises and you need it.
A simple emergency kit
A torch, gloves, essential first-aid items, water and a bright, reflective item are easily stowed in limited space, but might prove indispensable should you break down en route when you’re from base. If you plan to journey extensively, consider additional items appropriate to your expected environment. Travelling remotely needs considerably more planning than negotiating city streets.
A sensible set of hand tools
If the range of jobs is limited, you are likely to find a small socket set, a selection of screwdrivers and pliers along with a torque wrench far more beneficial than a large collection of alien tools. Purchase tools for tasks you’re seriously considering. The exception to the rule Safety related work must be treated with extreme caution. If you are unsure of handling the brakes, steering or electrically systems or can’t afford the risk of jacking up a vehicle safely, it would be preferable to call in the professionals.
Organisation matters as much as equipment
The car care stuff is so much handier when it has its own place. Cluster the cleaning goods in one spot, keep the electrical stuff where it stays dry and label even tiny boxes so you don’t waste time looking for the right tool part-way through.
The most sensible car-care system will develop slowly. Begin with items for immediate needs, care for it well, and gradually purchase additional equipment only when a particular requirement emerges.
